Bird Guide

Acadian Flycatcher vs Western Flycatcher

Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens)

Acadian Flycatcher

Empidonax virescens

Tiny13 gForest

Adults have olive upperparts, darker on the wings and tail, with whitish underparts; they have a white eye ring, white wing bars and a wide bill. The breast is washed with olive. The upper part of the bill is dark; the lower part is yellowish. This bird's song is an explosive peet-sa. The call is a soft peet. They also have a call similar to that of the northern flicker. A unique two-note song described as "ka-zeep" helps to identify this species. Measurements: Length: 5.5–5.9 inches (14–15 cm) Weight: 0.4–0.5 ounces (11–14 g) Wingspan: 8.7–9.1 inches (22–23 cm)

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Ryan Douglas · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Aitor · CC BY 4.0
Western Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis)

Western Flycatcher

Empidonax difficilis

Tiny11 gForest

Adults have olive-gray upperparts, darker on the wings and tail, with yellowish underparts; they have a conspicuous teardrop-shaped white eye ring, white wing bars, a small bill and a short tail. It differs only subtly from most Empidonax flycatchers in North America, but its breeding habitat and call are different. Many species of this genus look closely alike. The best ways to distinguish species are by voice, by breeding habitat, and by range.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: radrat · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Becky Matsubara · CC BY 2.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Acadian Flycatcher and Western Flycatcher.